Chocolate Mousse

I'm back. I know... it's been forever. But in my defense, since last time I found out I was pregnant, with twins. Delivered twins and discovered that being a mother of 3 crazy kids is, well, crazy. But also beyond wonderful. 


But, I also have a plethora of wonderful recipes to share. And so to start off on a good note... and since Valentine's day is just around the corner...

Chocolate Mousse


‎1 lNestle's Table Cream (found in the Hispanic foods section)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 
3 egg whites ( or up to 6) 
3 tbsp of sugar (or one for each egg white used)

Melt the chocolate in bain marrie (double boiler), or you can melt it in the microwave. If you choose to use the microwave go in 15 second intervals and be sure to mix the chocolate between each interval.


Beat the egg white until they form stiff peaks, add the sugar and beat for another little while. Fold in the table cream and then fold in the chocolate. FOLD, if you mix it in, you'll destroy the consistency of the egg whites. And then your delicious mousse will be no more :o(


Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hrs. But the more you leave it in, the firmer and better it will be... And in all honesty, it's better to leave it in over night. Hard to do it in actuality, but soooo worth it!


PS: The chocolate shape decor thing is super easy to make. Melt some more chocolate, put it in a piping bag with a small circle tip, shape out whatever shape you want onto a sheet of wax paper. Let it dry completely before carefully peeling it off. The peeling is harder than the piping by the way...

Carrot Cake

In my family birthdays = carrot cake.
So naturally, for my son's first birthday I made carrot cake - Brazilian Style! Yes, it's orange, and yes it has a chocolate glaze... hummm SO GOOD!


Carrot Cake

1/2 c. oil
3 medium carrots shredded
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
3 c. flour
1 tbs baking powder

Put all wet ingredients and carrots in a blender and blend until carrots are chopped and shredded finely,and batter takes on an orange-ish tint.

Mix wet ingredients unto dry until everything if combined. It will look a little thick for a cake batter, but it's supposed to be like that. :o)

Bake on a greased/floured pan for 40 min at a preheated over (375F).

Glaze:
(you may think it's weird, but trust me, it's sooooo good!)

1 tbs butter
3 tbs chocolate nesquick (or something like it)
1 c. sugar

in a small sauce pan, melt butter and add remaining ingridients. Cook until everything is melted (about 5 min.). Pour over cake. (I recomment poking a few holes with a knife on the cake before pouring the glaze!).

Give it a try and let me know, I'm sure you will all love it!

Quindim (keen-djeen)

I'm back! As a way to redeem myself from my long absence I have a delicious recipe!

Those of you who know Brazilian pastry probably know (and love) Quindim, and also know that it's hard to make and takes a ridiculous amount of egg yolks.

Well, I'm here to tell you that there are faster, healthier and less-yolky ways to sink your teeth into these yellow delicacies!

Behold:

Quick Quindim

1 c. Sugar
200 ml Coconut milk (about half of a can)
10 egg yolks
1 1/2 c. Shredded Coconut

Mix everything well and pour unto a muffin pan that's been greased (with butter) and coated with sugar.

Bake in bain-marie at 375 F for 30-35 minutes.

Let is cool and then run a knife along the sides, then place the pan (0r bang it) upside down on a alumnim foil sheet. Place in fridge and enjoy it!

Give it a try, and let me know how you love it!

*** Bain Marie: What is bain-marie you ask?! aka water bath. It's simple - place the muffin pan in another pan (can be a cookie sheet) that's filled with water. The bottom of the muffin pan needs to be touching the water. This is done so that the cooking process occurs evenly. IT IS ESSENTIAL!